Two schoolboys from Abingdon are set to represent the country in the science equivalent of the Olympic games.

John Morgan and Harry Desmond, who both attend Abingdon School, have won places to represent the country at the Chemistry and Physics Olympiads in July.

The two sixth formers will join the Great Britain team competing against more than 80 countries.

The chemistry Olympiad will be held in Hungary and the physics event will take place in Vietnam.

John, 18, will compete in the chemistry competition.

He said: "It has been very challenging but enjoyable, particularly the practical tests which were really interesting."

Harry, 17, who is attending the physics Olympiad, said: "The school has been great. The teachers are very helpful putting on extra courses and encouraging us to get involved.

"It has been good fun and I'm really looking forward to seeing Vietnam."

To qualify, the teenagers had to get through several rounds of stiff competition against the top young scientists in the country.

Out of the hundreds of UK students who took part, four boys were chosen for the chemistry Olympiad in Budapest and five boys for the physics Olympiad in Hanoi.

The boys will face 10 hours of gruelling practical and theory tests.

Mark Turner, the headmaster at Abingdon School, said: "It's an outstanding achievement to be chosen to represent Great Britain at an Olympiad.

"We are extremely proud of Harry and John and we are delighted they are going to go on and use their exceptional talents in science - they both have a very bright future."

Both Harry and John hope to pursue research careers in science and both have conditional offers at university.

Harry intends to read physics at Oxford University and John natural sciences at Cambridge University.